CARE staff working for the council-owned Tricuro have been given an average pay rise of 4.43 per cent over two years.

More than half the company’s staff will get an increase of over five per cent during the period.

The additional cost of the national pay award will add £635.000 a year to the overall wages bill, County Councillors will be told this week.

The councils had allowed for only a one per cent annual rise .

The costs for 2018 work out at £464,000 – £362 from Dorset County Council; £82,000 from Bournemouth Borough and £20,000 from the Borough of Poole.

The company, which is wholly owned by the three councils, provides day and residential care services across Dorset.